Operating equipment for gate valves (passage valves)

Abstract

A three-way valve device or the like having valving that is operably disposed within a bushing contained in the housing of the valve device, and a permanent magnet that is disposed in surrounding relationship with the bushing so as to be operable along the axial dimension thereof from an inactive position that is magnetically remote from a movable member of the valving to an active position that is in magnetic proximity with the movable valve member, to thereby shift the valve member and accordingly control fluid pressure communication between the valve porting with snap action. In one embodiment of the invention, the permanent magnet is operated by a push-button against the action of a spring, and in a second embodiment, the permanent magnet is encapsulated within a fluid-pressure-operated member subject to fluid pressure on it opposite sides.

We claim: 
     
       1. A valve device including at least one inlet, at least two outlets, and valve means, the latter having a first position for interrupting fluid pressure communication between said one inlet and one of said outlets, while concurrently establishing fluid pressure communication between said one outlet and the other of said outlets, and a second position for establishing fluid pressure communication between said one inlet and said one outlet, while concurrently interrupting fluid pressure communication between said one and said other of said outlets, said valve device further comprising: (a) a bushing carried in the housing of said valve device;   (b) said valve means being operatively disposed within said bushing;   (c) a control chamber formed in the housing of said valve device through which said bushing passes;   (d) magnetic means operatively disposed in said control chamber in surrounding relationship with said bushing; and   (e) at least one elastomeric member arranged in said control chamber contiguous with said magnetic means so as to form first and second pressure chambers on the opposite sides thereof, said first and second pressure chambers each having a connection via which fluid under pressure is supplied and exhausted to effect shifting of said at least one elastomeric member, said elastomeric member concurrently shifting said magnetic means to effect actuation of said valve means between said first and second positions.   
     
     
       2. A valve device as recited in claim 1, wherein said valve means comprises: (a) a supply valve seat formed on said body between said inlet and said one outlet;   (b) a stationary valve member fixedly disposed in said bushing and having an exhaust valve seat between said one and said other of said outlets; and   (c) a movable valve member operatively disposed in said bushing between said supply and exhaust valve seats.   
     
     
       3. A valve device as recited in claim 2, further comprising spring means for urging said movable valve member toward engagement with said supply valve seat. 
     
     
       4. A valve device as recited in claim 1, wherein said magnetic means is a permanent magnet.